Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writers: Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson
Synopsis: Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.
When I was growing up, I didn’t quite get the hype with Back to the Future. It seemed forever destined to be one of those films that I liked and labeled a hallmark of cinema, but never fully loved. There are so many iconic moments that it’s hard not to at least appreciate what Robert Zemeckis and company were able to create with the backing of Steven Spielberg, Amblin Entertainment, and Universal Pictures.
I’ve had an urge to revisit the film for quite some time and figured there was no time like the present considering Back to the Future is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025. If there had been a camera in the room with me, everyone would’ve witnessed my lightbulb moment as soon as Huey Lewis & The News began to play, but in lieu of that, I’ll try to articulate why I have a new all-time favorite film.
Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is so easy to root for because he reminds viewers of themselves. We’ve all dreamed of going back in time and seeing what different decades were like. Even if Marty time travels by accident, it gives us a point of connection right off the bat. He also represents the coolest, nerdiest teenager for an entire generation of people because of Fox’s charming, yet goofy performance. His outfit is so cool, but Marty’s corny one liners and voice cracks allow the audience to think they could be him. Opposite Marty, you have wacky Doctor Emmett “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd) whose inventions never seem too far fetched despite Lloyd portraying him with such frantic, hilarious energy. They make an excellent pair and provide plenty of laughs.
Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson’s performances as George and Lorraine Baines McFly also add to Marty’s character and arc. The teen really is the perfect combination of his parents, having George’s geekiness and Lorraine’s charming allure. Watching Marty learn this is not only fun but it reminds audiences that our parents had lives before we came along and maybe they aren’t as different as they seem in our eyes. Glover’s performance is rather fascinating due to the fact he gives you a reason to root against him due to his creeping on Lorraine, but eventually endures himself to us with Marty’s help. He starts off as this meek weirdo but once he gains confidence, Glover makes you support him by believably shifting his attitude. As a result, you’re left saying it makes perfect sense that Lorraine fell for George. Speaking of, Thompson had me in stitches as the younger version of her character. It’s such a contrast to how serious Lorraine is as an adult, playing into that idea that we don’t fully know our parents.
Then there’s the ultimate representation of a bully in Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), who couldn’t be a more perfect obstacle to both Marty and his father George taking control of their destinies if he tried. Biff encapsulates both the physical and mental obstacles of bettering yourself. In the minds of Marty and George, his brute strength makes Biff an immovable force, so why should they even try to stand up for themselves? As Doc says though, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything” which inspires the father and son to put their heads together and they ultimately realize that Biff is in fact, an idiot who can be toppled. All it takes to change your life is belief in yourself and your abilities. Oh, and maybe a little bit of manure too. Watching Marty and George discover that really warmed my heart.
Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale created a perfect script. Each character fulfills their purpose with regards to the film’s main theme of taking control of and being responsible for your own destiny. There are funny, heartfelt, and cheer-worthy moments throughout Marty’s journey which help ensure that Back to the Future is never as dull as I had somehow convinced myself it was originally. Zemeckis and Gale capture the spirit of the ‘50s and ‘80s while also pointing out how much things have and haven’t changed. This gives the film a sort of timeless feel as the reflections and commentary they offer will always be relevant in some way or another. One of my favorite examples is how both 1985 Mayor Goldie Wilson (Donald Fullilove) and his 1955 counterpart Red Thomas (Hal Gausman) utilize the same campaign message, showcasing that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
The pacing is superb, with not a single moment feeling unearned. We spend enough time with Marty and those around him to understand not only who they are but also their decision making. That’s part of what makes moments like George standing up for himself so satisfying because we’ve watched him grow as a character before reaching his high point.
So many of the shots put together by Zemeckis and cinematographer Dean Cundey are epic. If you try to tell me you don’t get chills when the DeLorean reaches 88 miles per hour before disappearing and leaving behind a spinning “Outatime” license plate and trail of fire, I’m inclined to call you a liar, with all due respect. This duo even makes Marty getting chased by Biff on a skateboard look cool, but Alan Silvestri’s amazing score definitely helps elevate that sequence.
Thanks to an excellent cast and hilarious script, Back to the Future continues to be one of the greatest films ever made, 40 years after its original release. Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd deliver iconic performances as Marty McFly and Doc Brown, making this story centered around believing in yourself and taking control of your own destiny even better. Thomas F. Wilson gives our heroes a legendary but dumb bully in Biff Tannen to overcome and Crispin Glover and Lea Thompson steal scenes as George and Lorraine Baines McFly. When you combine the cast and script with technical and musical excellence, you get something that is a blast to watch. Honestly, I have no clue what has been wrong with me all these years because this film rocks in every possible way.
